2 weeks ago
34
Giovani Leoni has had little to smile about in recent weeks. Nor has Liverpool, in truth, after an underwhelming start to the campaign that saw the Reds head into the international break on the back of three consecutive losses.
Form can change, though. Leoni’s situation can’t. At least for the immediate future, he has no choice but to work at his injury rehabilitation, building slowly towards a return to the Liverpool team that could be a year away.
That’s how long Arne Slot estimated his injury absence will be, after the Italian suffered a devastating blow to his knee in last month’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Despite all the talk of Liverpool’s form and performances, Leoni’s injury could prove to be the biggest long-term problem from the first two months of the season. It will essentially leave Liverpool with just three recognized center-backs for almost an entire campaign. That could prove unsustainable.
In many ways, Leoni’s brief cameo on the Anfield stage only heightens the intrigue that surrounds him. He arrived from Parma in the summer with little fanfare and, excluding third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, was the least glamorous of the eight first-team incomings.
That he was signed on the week the new season began and was named in just one Premier League matchday squad prior to his injury, underlined the sense that Leoni wasn’t quite ready to play a significant role for Slot’s side.
And yet, Liverpool believes it has signed one of the most promising young center-backs on the planet. That the club parted with an initial £26million ($35M) for a player who had made just 17 top-flight appearances indicates how well regarded Leoni is.
Despite impressing in the Southampton game, Leoni’s talent level remains something of an unknown among Liverpool supporters.
So his nomination for the 2025 Golden Boy award is a reminder of just how well regarded he is. It’s not just at Anfield where the Italian’s abilities are appreciated.
The Golden Boy award ranks the world’s top young players based on data-driven performance metrics. It’s a prestigious prize, one that defenders are often overlooked for.
This year’s nominees do not include the current incumbent, Lamine Yamal, who is banned from winning the trophy again as defending winner. Pau Cubarsi, Desire Doue, Dean Huijsen, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Warren Zaire-Emery and Arda Guler are among the nominees for the accolade.
Leoni’s relatively low profile meant he was not among the 20 names nominated by journalists, but organizers Tuttosport chose the teenager among one of five wildcards, along with Jobe Bellingham.
Sadly, Leoni won’t be up for the 2026 prize, but by the time next year’s shortlist is revealed, Liverpool will hope the 6ft 5in defender is available once again and demonstrating just why the Reds are so convinced he will be a star of the future.
English (US) ·